Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Hickory Crawdads

What: Three-game series

When: Tuesday through Thursday (7 each night)

Where:  L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (14-3, 2.67) vs. RH Nick Martinez (7-6, 4.51); Wednesday, LH Luis Cruz (9-7, 4.07) vs. RH Jerad Eickhoff (12-7, 4.73); Thursday, RH Jonas Dufek (6-4, 5.57) vs. LH Will Lamb (5-8, 4.35).

Justin Gominsky

Legend to watch: OF Justin Gominsky (6-foot-4, 185 pounds, bats/throws right, age 23, from Woodbury, Minn .) has raised his average 16 points since the all-star break. Batting .238 overall, Gominsky has two homers, 32 RBI and 36 runs, plus 10 stolen bases, over 89 games. He is hitting .269 against left-handers, .225 versus righties. Selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2011 draft, out of the University of Minnesota, he earned New York-Penn League mid-season all-star honors last year with the Tri-City ValleyCats. Over 60 games with Tri-City, Gominsky batted .237 with 18 RBI, 35 runs and 12 stolen bases. At Mahtomedi (Minn.) High School, he also was a standout wide receiver in football.

Will Lamb

Crawdad to watch: Thursday starting pitcher Will Lamb (6-6, 180, b/t left, age 21, from Newport News, Va.) came into the season ranked by Baseball America as the 21st-best prospect in the Rangers system. Selected by Texas in the second round of the 2011 draft, after his junior year at Clemson University, he broke in by playing 12 games (seven starts) for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League and four starts for the Crawdads. Combined, he finished 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 31 walks over 56 innings. This season, at 5-8, 4.35  over 103 1/3 innings, Lamb has struck out 76 and walked 52. At the all-star break, he was 0-6 with a 4.93 ERA. Since then, he is 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

(Hickory rotation update, Thursday, 1:50 p.m.)

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Hickory Crawdads

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7 Thursday and Friday nights, 6 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday)

Where: L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (5-1, 2.15) vs. LH Victor Payano (3-2, 3.57); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (4-1, 2.50) vs. RH Jerad Eickhoff (4-4, 4.64); Saturday, RH Jonas Dufek (1-0, 4.76) vs. RH Nick Martinez (1-1, 4.26); Sunday, RH Nick Tropeano (2-3, 2.73) vs. RH Santo Perez (2-3, 6.16).

Jesse Wierzbicki

Legend to watch: 1B Jesse Wierzbicki (6-foot-3, 202 pounds, from Sharpsburg, Ga.) was promoted Tuesday from extended spring training. Selected by the Astros in the 24th round of last year’s draft, out of the University of North Carolina, he played 45 games with the Appalachian League’s Greeneville Astros last summer. He went 43-for-162 (.265), with 12 doubles, a triple and five homers. He also drove in 28 runs and scored 23, walked 22 times and stole three bases. Wierzbicki also was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 40th round of the 2008 draft. With the Legends, he replaces John Hinson, who is on the seven-day disabled list due to a strained right hamstring.

Chris Grayson

Crawdad to watch: OF Chris Grayson (6-2, 195, from Monroe, La.) ranks second in the league (through Tuesday) with a .340 batting average. In addition to batting, he leads the Crawdads in runs (28), doubles (15), triples (3), on-base percentage (.430), slugging (.525), OPS (.954) and total bases (77). With those numbers, he also has a pair of homers, 17 RBI and nine stolen bases. Selected by the Rangers in the 13th round of last year’s draft, out of Lee University, Grayson bats and throws left-handed. He broke into pro ball last year, hitting .288 over 48 games with the Arizona League Rangers. He knocked two home runs, with eight doubles, five triples, 30 RBI, 34 runs and 17 steals. He got off to a hot start this season, batting .400 in April. He has dropped to .269 in his first 19 games of May. Overall, he’s batting .411 with runners on base.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

                               South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7 Thursday through Saturday nights, 5 p.m. Sunday)

Where: L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, TBA vs. RH Luke Jackson (4-4, 5.28); Friday, RH Carlos Quevedo (7-5, 4.08) vs. RH Joe Van Meter (5-5, 4.09); Saturday, RH Tanner Bushue (6-5, 4.30) vs. RH Cody Buckel (6-3, 2.40); Sunday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (5-10, 4.69) vs. RH Ben Henry (5-2, 2.92).

Domingo Santana

Legend to watch: OF Domingo Santana (6-foot-5, 200 pounds, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) joined the Legends after being acquired by the Astros on Monday as the “player to be named” in the July 30 trade of former Legend Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies. (Earlier, the Astros received RHP Jarred Cosart, OF Jonathan Singleton and RHP Josh Zeid.) Santana, who bats and throws right-handed, hit .269 over 96 games with Lakewwood, with 29 doubles, four triples, seven homers, 32 RBI and four stolen bases. He made his Legends debut Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout at Hagerstown. Entering the season, Baseball America rated him as the ninth-best prospect in the Phillies system. Born in the Bahamas, he signed with Philadelphia as a free agent for $330,000. He made his pro debut in 2009 with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, batting .288 with six homers and 28 RBI over 37 games. Last year, he struggled in 49 games with Lakewood, hitting .182 with three homers and 16 RBI over 49 games. Dropped to Williamsport of the New York-Penn League, he improved to .237-5-20 over 54 games with the Crosscutters.

Jonathan Roof

Crawdad to watch: IF/OF Jonathan Roof (6-1, 165, from Paducah) is Mr. Versatile for the Crawdads, who have played him at second base, third, shortstop, left field and right field. Out of St. Mary High School and Michigan State University, he is batting .262 with two homers, 32 RBI, 25 runs and 14 stolen bases in 65 games with Hickory. He also has played 12 games for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League, hitting .186 and scoring five runs. An eighth-round draft pick last year, he played six games in the Arizona League in 2010 and 38 games with the Crawdads. His combined totals came to .266, 13 RBI, 19 runs and four SB. Roof’s father Gene and uncle Phil both played in the big leagues, while brothers Eric and Shawn are Tigers prospects. 

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

                                 South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday)

Where: L.P Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Foltynewicz

Alaniz

Quevedo

Cruz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Mike Foltynewicz 4-6, 4.43); vs. RD Cody Buckel (3-3, 2.28); Friday, RH Ruben Alaniz (5-6, 4.76) vs. RH Roman Mendez (6-1, 4.33); Saturday LH Luis Cruz (1-0, 3.28) vs. RH Nick Tepesch (4-3, 3.28); Sunday RH Carlos Quevedo (6-4, 4.32) vs. RH Luke Jackson (3-1, 3.38).

Ruben Alaniz

Legend to watch: Friday starter Ruben Alaniz (6-foot-4, 195 pounds, from La Grulla, Texas) was named Wednesday as the team’s Pitcher of the Month for June. During the month, went 3-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 21 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .198 batting average. Overall, he is 5-6 with a 4.76 ERA, a team-leading 69 strikeouts and 30 walks. He has made 17 appearances, including 12 starts, spanning 73 2/3 innings. For every homer surrendered, he has hit a batter (9-9). Opponents are batting .247. Alaniz, who turned 20 last month, signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent Aug. 14, 2009. He made his pro debut last year with Greeneville of the Appalachian League, going 6-4 with a 4.21 ERA over 12 starts. He led the team in wins, striking out 32 and walking 10 over 57 2/3 innings. Baseball America, which ranked him as the 15th-best prospect in the Astros system coming into this season, wrote “it’s understandable how Alaniz slipped through the cracks of the draft. The tall, projectable righty was injured midway through the 2008 high school season, then a swine flu outbreak in the Rio Grande Valley canceled his 2009 high school baseball season. … He touched 95 mphy in the Astros workout (scout Rusty) Pendergrass set up, and Houston won his services with a $150,000 bonus.” Alaniz also throws a curveball and a changeup.

Tomas Telis

Crawdad to watch: Switch-hitting all-star C/DH Tomas Telis (5-8, 175, from Tigre Estado Anzutegui, Venezuela) has an eight-game hitting streak (13-for-37). Telis leads the Crawdads in at-bats (286), hits (88), RBI (45, tied with Christian Villanueva) and total bases (126). The 20-year-old is batting .308 (.343 with runners on), with seven homers, 43 runs and eight stolen bases. Telis broke into pro ball with the Dominican Summer League Rangers in 2008, hitting .299 with a homer, 36 RBI and 44 runs over 62 games. He split the 2009 season between the Arizona League Rangers (46 games) and the Northwest League’s Spokane Indians (seven games), with combined statistics of .330, four homers, 30 RBI and 34 runs over 53 games. Last year, with the Arizona League Rangers, Telis hit .326 with two homers, 35 RBI and 22 runs over 37 games.

Etc.: In addition to Alaniz, Legends players of the month for June are OF Emilio King (offensive) and 1B Tyler Burnett (defensive). King went 26-for-90 (.289) with two homers, 11 RBI, 14 runs, seven doubles and a .337 on-base percentage over 24 games. Burnett has started 55 games this season, committing nine errors in 463 total chances (.981) while turning 38 double plays.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

                                  South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Three-game series

When: Thursday through Saturday (7:05 each night)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Alaniz

Foltynewicz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (2-6, 5.09) vs. RH Roman Mendez (5-1, 3.59); Friday, RH Ruben Alaniz (3-4, 5.72) vs. RH Matt Thompson (2-3, 3.67); Saturday, RH Tanner Bushue (6-1, 3.22) vs. Luke Jackson (0-1, 4.11).

Josh Richmond

Crawdad to watch: RF Josh Richmond (6-foot-3, 215 pounds, from Cincinnati) is one of two Louisville Cardinals on the Hickory roster (with 1B Andrew Clark). Clark has hits in five of his last six games. Overall, he is batting .254 with five homers, 23 RBI and 36 runs scored. He also has 18 doubles and a triple among his 49 hits, and has stolen four bases in five attempts. Richmond has a .351 on-base percentage, slugging .435. A 12th round draft pick last year, he played 35 games for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League last summer, batting .297 with three homers, 19 RBI and 23 runs. Baseball America rated him as the 29th-best prospect in the Rangers system coming into this season. In three years at U of L, Richmond hit .291with 14 homers, 77 RBI and 117 runs. His college play was limited when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand in 2009, which led to surgery the next winter. He reinjured the hand last year, causing him to miss 41 college games.

Tanner Bushue

Legend to watch: Saturday’s starter, RHP Tanner Bushue (6-4, 207, from Kinmundy, Ill.) leads the Legends in wins and leads starters in ERA. At 6-1 with a 3.22 ERA, Bushue has struck out 34 and walked 12 over 10 starts and 50 1/3 innings. He has pitched shutout ball in two of his last three starts, yielding two runs in the other game. Coming into the season, Baseball America rated him the No. 8 prospect in the Astros system. He was a second-round pick in the 2009 draft, out of South Central (Ill.) High School, where he also played basketball. He joined the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2009, going 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA over five starts, with 19 strikeouts and five walks over 22 1/3 innings. This is his second season with the Legends. Last year, he was the opening day starter. He led the team in innings pitched (133 2/2) but also led the league in homers allowed (18). Over 25 starts, he went 7-8 with a 4.11 ERA, 114 strikeouts and 48 walks. He missed two weeks of action due to a toe injury that required post-season surgery.

Brian Pellegrini

Promotions: Thirsty Thursday ($1 drinks) also marks the second and final ”Bark in the Park” game. Fans may bring their dogs to the game, provided they are leashed and behaved, for a minimum $1 donation to the Lexington Humane Society. … Friday is Military Appreciation Night in honor of those who are serving or who have served in the military. The Legends also will recognize their single-season and career leader in home runs, Brian Pellegrini, who hit 27 of his 48 career homers in 2009. Pellegrini will be on hand, and the first 1,000 fans to enter (gates open at 6 p.m.) will receive a Pellegrini bobblehead. … Saturday is NASCAR Night, with fans receiving a free car magnet. Fireworks will follow the game. … Also, a free youth baseball clinic is scheduled Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon. For details, visit www.lexingtonlegends.com or www.chevyyouthsports.com.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic
     League

Lexington Legends vs. Kannapolis Intimidators

What: Four-game series

When: Wednesday through Saturday (7:05 each night)

Where: Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium (Kannapolis, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Chicago White Sox

Zach Grimmett

Juan Minaya

Tanner Bushue

Luis Cruz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Wednesday, RH Zach Grimmett (5-2, 3.86) vs. RH Cameron Bayne (11-9, 3.90); Thursday, LH Luis Cruz (7-3, 3.14) vs. RH Justin Collop (8-10, 4.62); Friday, RH Tanner Bushue (7-8, 4.07) RH Andre Rienzo (7-4, 3.90); Saturday, RH Juan Minaya (4-10, 5.02) RH Ryan Buch (4-2, 3.19).

Ian Gac

Intimidator to watch: SAL all-star 1B Ian Gac (6-foot-3, 245 pounds, from Seattle) is hitting .286 and leads Kannapolis in hits (132), doubles (32), homers (20), RBI (86), runs (61), walks (42) and a league-leading 224 total bases. Signed by the White Sox last December as a free agent, Gac was selected out of Edmons-Woodway (Wash.) High School by the Texas Rangers in the 26th round of the 2003 draft. Baseball America wrote that Gac had the “best raw power” among that Texas draft class. However, his highest batting average over his first five seasons of pro ball came in his first year, .242. In 2008, he blossomed and earned Midwest League all-star honors with the Clinton LumberKings. In 67 games with the Kings, he hit .310 with 19 homers and 60 RBI. That earned him a promotion to Bakersfield of the California League, where he batted .257 with 13 homers and 49 RBI over 63 games. In 2009, his last season in the Rangers organization, Gac hit .238 with 22 homers and 55 RBI over 104 games with Bakersfield. This season, he’s batting .298 against right-handed pitchers, .259 versus lefties. Since the all-star break, he’s batting .296 overall.

Brenden Stines

Legend to watch: RHP Brenden Stines (6-2, 190, from Mishawaka, Ind.,) has made 11 appearances in relief since joining the Legends in July, compiling a 2-0 record and 4.05 ERA over 20 innings. Selected by the Astros in the 33rd round of last year’s draft, out of Ball State University, Stines began this season with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. There, in five outings spanning 7 1/3 innings, Stines was 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA. He also spent 2009 with Tri-City, going 3-0 with a 4.93 ERA over 24 games and 38 1/3 innings. Control has been his bugaboo, as he has had identical totals for strikeouts and walks this season both at Tri-City (7) and Lexington (13). He has performed best at home (1-0, 2.89, 6 games) for the Legends. Overall with Lexington, he is holding opponents to a .247 batting average.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic
    League

 * * * *

Lexington Legends vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Five-game series

When: Wednesday through Sunday (7:05 each night except Sunday, 2:05 p.m.)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers (Crawdads)

Juan Minaya

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

Brad Dydalewicz

Robby Donovan

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Wednesday, RH Juan Minaya (3-8, 5.72) vs. RH Matt Thompson (6-6, 4.06); Thursday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-5, 4.46) vs. RH Neil Ramirez (7-5, 5.24); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (4-1, 2.88) vs. RH Braden Tullis (3-0, 2.18); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (0-2, 8.06) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (4-2, 1.63); Sunday, RH Robby Donovan (7-5, 3.65) vs. RH Jake Brigham (1-1, 2.00).

Jared Bolden

Crawdad to watch: CF/1B Jared Bolden (6-foot-2, 205 pounds, from Lynchburg, Va.) is 16-for-43 (.372) in 11 games since being demoted from Bakersfield of the California League. He has multiple hits in four of his last five games. Bolden went 1-for-4 against the Legends on July 3. Selected by the Rangers in the ninth round of the 2008 draft, out of Virginia Commonwealth, Bolden hit .263 with three homers and 28 RBI for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League in 2008. Last year, playing 107 games for the Crawdads and six contests for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bolden hit a combined .244 with two homers and 35 RBI. This season, over 62 games with Bakersfield, Bolden hit .219 with a homer and 15 RBI.

Renzo Tello

Legend to watch: CF Renzo Tello (6-1, 210, from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela) joined the Legends on Sunday, promoted from Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. Over his first two games, he is 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. With Tri-City, Tello went 10-for-47 (.213) with a homer, five RBI and five runs. Signed at 17 by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent after the 2004 season, Renzo hit .264 with 15 homers, 82 RBI and 88 runs scored over three seasons with the Venezuelan Summer League Astros. He came to the United States in 2008, compiling a .288 average with three homers and 25 RBI over 44 games with Greeneville of the Appalachian League. Last year, Tello dropped to .197 with a homer and 13 RBI over 45 games with Tri-City.

J.D. Martinez (Mark Maloney photo)

Another Legend to watch: RF J.D. Martinez (6-3, 215, from Pembroke PInes, Fla.) is the SAL Player of the Week. For the period of July 5-11, Martinez went 10-for-20 (.500) with four homers, two doubles, eight RBI and seven runs scored. Through Monday, he led the league in batting (.358), hits (122), doubles (31), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.589), extra-base hits (58), runs (80) and totals bases (201). He ranked second to teammate Kody Hinze in RBI (68-62) and third in the league in homers (14).

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Homestand highlights

Wednesday — Ladies Night. Sun Tan City club members, with presentation of pass, can buy one ticket and get one free.

Thursday — “Thirsty Thursday” beer and Pepsi, $1 each through the seventh inning.

Friday — Bluegrass State Games “Celebration of Athletes Night,” Fritos Family Friday and ADI post-game fireworks.

Saturday — Marine Night, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps and featuring the Legends in camouflage jerseys. Fans presenting military identification can buy one ticket, get one free. Entertainment throughout the game provided by the Zooperstars, sponsored by LBX. ADI post-game fireworks.

Sunday — Jewish Heritage Day and JIF Kids Club Sunday.

Less than a week before the Hickory Crawdads visit the Lexington Legends, Lexington Christian Academy graduate Robbie Ross has been promoted by the Texas Rangers from the Crawdads to their High-A affiliate in the California League, the Bakersfield Blaze.

Robbie Ross

Ross, a left-hander, compiled an 8-7 record and 2.59 ERA over 16 starts for Hickory. Selected as a starter in  the South Atlantic League All-Star Game, he struck out the side in the first inning. He leads the Crawdads in wins and innings pitched.

A 2008 second-round draft pick, Ross had committed to play for Kentucky before being drafted. Last season, with the Short-A Spokane Indians of the Northwest League, Ross went 4-4 with a 2.66 ERA over 15 starts.

Also making the jump from Hickory to Bakersfield is right-handed pitcher and fellow SAL all-star Trevor Hurley (0-1, 1.43, 11 saves).

The Crawdads open a five-game series at Lexington next Wednesday.

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Five-game series

Where: L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

When: Tuesday through Saturday (7 each night)

Affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers (Crawdads)

Robby Donovan

Jose Cisnero

Juan Minaya

Tanner Bushue

Luis Cruz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Robby Donovan (7-4, 2.61) vs. RH Neil Ramirez (6-5, 5.22); Wednesday, RH Tanner Bushue (4-3, 3.63) vs. TBA; Thursday, RH Juan Minaya (2-8, 6.00) vs. LH Robbie Ross (8-6, 2.32); Friday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-4, 4.52) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (3-1, 1.34); Saturday, LH Luis Cruz (2-1, 3.77) vs. RH Matt Thompson (5-4, 3.88).

Miguel Velazquez

Crawdad to watch: CF Miguel Velazquez (6-foot-2, 205 pounds, from San Juan, Puerto Rico) is batting .267 with 10 homers and 12 stolen bases over 68 games, while leading the Crawdads in RBI (51) and runs (44). Selected by the Rangers in the 19th round of the 2006 draft, Velazquez came into the season ranked by Baseball America as the 22nd-best prospect in the Texas system. Baseball America sums up his unusual career start this way: “Velazquez was projected as a top-three-rounds pick out of high school in Puerto Rico, but his stock plummeted when he was involved in a shooting with his brother in March 2006. Velazquez has told reporters that he was with his brother when his brother shot and seriously injured their neighbor, who they say was trying to kill their sister. The Rangers looked into the case and decided to take Velazquez in the 19th round that June, signing him for $72,000. He made a strong pro debut in 2007 but missed all of 2008 because of a parole violation that required him to spend time in a juvenile detention center. He returned to action last summer and picked up where he left off, showing true five-tool potential. …” He hit .330 with two homers and 21 RBI over 24 games with the Arizona League Rangers in 2007. Last year, in ine games with the AZL Rangers, he hit .294 with a homer and six RBI; and in 54 games with Spokane of the Northwest League, he hit .297 with 10 homers and 40 RBI.

Zach Grimmett

Legend to watch: RHP Zach Grimmett (6-3, 199, from Beggs, Okla.) is 1-0 with a save, three holds and a 2.51 ERA over 15 games, including one start. Over 43 innings, Grimmett has struck out 39 while walking 13, holding opponents to a .186 batting average. He has been especially effective on the road — 1-0 with a 1.87 ERA. Selected by the Astros out of Beggs High School in the 28th round of the 2008 draft, Grimmett broke into pro ball with the Greeneville Astros that year, going 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA over 13 relief appearances and 31 2/3 innings. Last year, with the Tri-City ValleyCats, he went 0-7 with a 7.34 ERA over 12 starts and 41 2/3 innings.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Four-game series

Where: L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

When: Saturday through Tuesday (7 Saturday night, 5 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends); Texas Rangers

Luis Cruz

David Duncan

Robby Donovan

Juan Minaya

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, LH Luis Cruz (0-0, 5.40) vs. RH Joe Wieland (4-3, 4.06); Sunday, LH David Duncan (3-1, 3.86)  vs. LH Robbie Ross (7-4, 1.96); Monday, RH Robby Donovan (5-4, 2.44) vs. LH Robbie Erlin (1-1, 1.34); Tuesday, RH Juan Minaya (0-7, 5.68) vs. RH Matt Thompson (4-3, 3.51).

Robbie Ross

Crawdad to watch: Sunday starter Robbie Ross (5-foot-11, 185 pounds, from Nicholasville) passed on the University of Kentucky and signed with the Rangers for $1.575 million after being selected in the second round of the 2008 draft. The former Lexington Christian Academy standout is tied for second in the SAL in wins (7), tied for third in innings pitched (64 1/3) and is ninth in ERA (1.96). In 11 starts, he has struck out 46, walked 14 and hit four batters. He is holding opponents to a .230 batting average and is the only Crawdad starter yet to allow a home run. Ross has a decision in all 11 games and has won six of his last seven. In five home games, he is 4-1 with a 0.30 ERA. Rated by Baseball America as the seventh-best prospect in the Rangers system, Ross will turn 21 on June 24. He earned all-star honors in the Northwest League last season with Spokane, going 4-4 with a 2.66 ERA over 15 starts, while striking out 76 and walking 17. He ranked second in the league in strikeouts per nine innings (9.2) and fourth in ERA.

Legends lefty David Duncan (monkeyalarm.com photo)

Legend to watch: Sunday starter David Duncan (6-9, 230, from New Richmond, Ohio) has decisions in all four of his starts. A fifth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech in 2008, he is coming off his worst outing of the season — Tuesday’s six-inning, five-run loss to West Virginia. After starting the season on the disabled list due to a sore arm, Duncan has struck out 13 and walked only one. He has given up five homers, but four have been solo shots and the other came with only one man aboard. Duncan split last season between Tri-City, Lexington and Lancaster, going a combined 4-14. With the Legends, Duncan was 4-4 with a 4.29 ERA, 52 strikeouts and nine walks over 56 2/3 innings.

Brandt Walker

Tanner Bushue

Coming and going: The Legends have activated RHP Brandt Walker from the disabled list. Moving from the rotation to the DL is RH Tanner Bushue. Walker is 1-3 with a 9.72 ERA over six starts, with more walks (18) than strikeouts (16). Bushue is 3-3 with a 3.95 ERA over 11 starts, leading the team in strikeouts (55) while issuing 21 walks.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300